- 1[intransitive, transitive] (rather formal) to give a spoken or written answer to someone or something synonym reply I asked him his name, but he didn't respond. respond (to somebody/something) (with something) She never responded to my letter. More than fifty people responded to the advertisement. + speech “I'm not sure,” she responded. respond that… When asked about the company's future, the director responded that he remained optimistic. Which Word?answer / reply
- Answer and reply are the most common verbs used for speaking or writing as a reaction to a question, letter, etc.
- Note that you answer a person, question, or letter, not “answer to” them, but you reply to someone or something:I’m writing to answer your questions I’m writing to reply to your questions. I’m writing to answer to your questions.
- Answer can be used with or without an object:I haven't answered her e-mail yet. I knocked on the door but no one answered.Reply is often used with the actual words spoken:“I won’t let you down,” he replied.
- Respond is less common and more formal:The directors refused to respond to questions.
- You can only answer a door or a phone.
- 2[intransitive] respond (to something) (with something/by doing something) to do something as a reaction to something that someone has said or done synonym react How did they respond to the news? The government responded by banning all future demonstrations.
- 3[intransitive] respond (to something/somebody) to react quickly or in the correct way to something or someone The car responds very well to the controls. You can rely on him to respond to a challenge.
- 4[intransitive] respond (to something) to improve as a result of a particular kind of treatment The infection did not respond to the drugs.
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NAmE//rɪˈspɑnd//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they respond he / she / it responds
past simple responded
-ing form responding
Check pronunciation: respond